Single Comment

Equating colourbinding with celibacy does not work for me. Quite apart from
celibacy being rare among camels and elephants, after whom other
colourbound pieces are named, but usual among cardinals, after whom a
non-colourbound piece is named, being non-celibate is not a reliable
indicator of Anglican office.
	Firstly, not only Anglicans have non-celibate bishops. The Orthodox
clergy, which has a rank of bishop, is open to married men. Indeed
marriage is the norm among its members.
	Secondly, some Anglican clergy are celibate - genuinely celibate, not
merely saving themselves for the right woman. This is particularly so in
the wing closest to Catholics in ritual, whose popular description
Anglo-Catholic may be the source of the 'Who is Catholic?' confusion. A
few are even from Anglican monastic orders. Late last century two brothers
in such an order - and in the literal sense of sharing parents! - became
bishops in England.
	Thirdly, and this is the bombshell, Catholic priestly celibacy is not
quite universal. Converts to Catholicism with clergy experience in another
Christian denomination are eligible for ordination even if they are
married. Theoretically they could reach the rank of bishop, although few
start again young enough.
	Incidentally Anglicans in Scotland and Northern Ireland, though indeed
counted as Protestants, are a minority on that side of the divide.
Presbyterians outnumber them considerably. My original error was a failure
to recall the strong Gaelic streak in North America and Australasia. As to
credentials of impartiality, I am not a Christian of any kind.